Patricia Almeida

Patricia Almeida is a journalist and founder of Global Alliance for Disability in Media and Entertainment. Patricia also co-founded Movimento Down, Movimento Zika and Inclusive-Inclusion and Citizenship and she coordinates MetaSocial Institute...all based in Brazil. 

Ana Lucia Arellano

Ana Lucía Arellano Barba, from Ecuador, has been a human rights activist and advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities for 23 years, inspired by her son José Miguel, a self-advocate with Down syndrome. Currently, Ana Lucia is Chair of International Disability Alliance and President of Latin American Network of Non-Governmental Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and their Families (RIADIS).

Carol Boys

Carol Boys is Chief Executive of Down’s Syndrome Association (UK) and the mother of Alex, a young man with Down syndrome. Carol has been the driving force behind the successful growth of the DSA, with a strong team of dedicated staff.

Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke is retired as Chief Executive Officer of Down Syndrome Ireland. He is currently Treasurer of DSi, President of European Down Syndrome Association and Vice President of European Disability Forum, representing people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities.   

Vanessa dos Santos

Vanessa Dos Santos is the mother of 3 boys of which the youngest has both Down syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. Vanessa is President of DSi and Co-Vice Chair of International Disability Alliance. She has been working in the disability field since 1996, focusing on intellectual disability in poverty stricken areas in Africa. 

Rhonda Faragher

Dr Rhonda Faragher is Director of the Down Syndrome Research Program and Deputy Head of the School of Education, The University of Queensland, Australia.

Penny Robertson

Penny Robertson OAM is one of the founders of DSi and also the founder of the Australian International Schools in Indonesia where inclusive education has been successfully implemented since 1996.

Bridget Snedden

Bridget Snedden is the parent of a young man with Down syndrome and Vice-President of DSi. Her work over the past 25 years has focused on what is needed  to ensure a fully inclusive life for people with disability. She has held a range of governance and management roles and is currently a director of Family Network NZ.

Jessamy Tang

Jessamy Tang was a sports media executive before becoming a passionate advocate when her son was born with Down syndrome. She chairs the WDSD Conference at UN HQ in New York. She also currently serves on the board of Disability Rights Legal Center and The Matthew Foundation.